Data storage management in a device including removable and embedded storage areas

ABSTRACT

A device includes a first signal line, a second signal line, and a controller. The first signal line is coupled to a first storage area. The second signal line is coupled to a second storage area. The controller outputs a signal to the first signal line or the second signal line to select the first storage area or the second storage area. The first storage area may be a removable data storage card, and the second storage area may be an embedded storage area in the device. The signal is a reset signal for the selected one of the first storage area and the second storage area.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromprior European Patent Application No. 19305599.3, filed May 10, 2019,which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fullyset forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to managing data storage.

BACKGROUND

Smartphones and other mobile devices are designed with ever increasingfunctionality, but not without drawbacks. For example, increasingfunctionality increases the numbers and sizes of chips and theirsupporting connections. This stands as an impediment to reducing thesize of the device.

One example of the increased functionality of smartphones is the use ofnear-field communications (NFC) to transmit/receive data with externaldevices. The data may include, for example, subscriber account andidentification information, phone numbers, credit card numbers, andvarious types of control information. This data is stored in asubscriber identity module (SIM) card that is removably inserted into aslot of the smartphone. An example of one type of SIM card is auniversal integrated circuit card (UICC).

Use of a removable SIM card in a smartphone is not always desirable. Forexample, the data stored on such a card may be accessed by anunauthorized user if the smartphone is lost or stolen. One attempt tosolve this problem involves using an embedded SIM storage and aremovable SIM card in the same smartphone. However, this approach hasbeen implemented in a manner that requires the use of external switchesto select the embedded SIM storage or the removable SIM card. Theseexternal switches consume valuable board space and consume significantpower.

SUMMARY

A brief summary of various example embodiments is presented below. Somesimplifications and omissions may be made in the following summary,which is intended to highlight and introduce some aspects of the variousexample embodiments, but not to limit the scope of the invention.Detailed descriptions of example embodiments adequate to allow those ofordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventive concepts willfollow in later sections.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a device includes a firstsignal line coupled to a first storage area, a second signal linecoupled to a second storage area, and a controller configured to outputa signal to the first signal line or the second signal line to selectthe first storage area or the second storage area, wherein the firststorage area is a removable data storage card and the second storagearea is an embedded storage area in the device and wherein the signal isa reset signal for the selected one of the first storage area and thesecond storage area. The removable data storage card may be a universalintegrated circuit card (UICC), and the embedded storage area may be anembedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC).

The device may include a circuit on a chip, wherein the eUICC is on thechip and the chip is coupled to the UICC. The circuit may be anear-field communications (NFC) circuit which reads data from or storesdata to the selected one of the UICC and the eUICC. The device mayinclude a single wire protocol (SWP) line coupled between the chip andthe UICC, wherein the NFC circuit communicates with the UICC through theSWP line when the UICC is selected. The device may include a thirdsignal line to carry a clock signal to the controller, the removabledata storage card, and the embedded storage area.

The device may include a third signal line coupled to the controller,the removable data storage card, and the embedded storage area, whereinthe third signal line is a bidirectional input/output line to carrydata. The controller may output signals to the first signal line and thesecond signal line independently from one another. The controller mayautomatically output the signal to the first signal line or the secondsignal line based on an instruction stored in a memory. The controllermay output the signal to the first signal line or the second signal linebased on a user input signal.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for managing datastorage includes receiving an instruction to select a first storage areaor a second storage area, generating a reset signal, and transmittingthe reset signal to a first signal line coupled to the first storagearea or a second signal line coupled to the second storage area, whereinthe first storage area is a removable data storage card and the secondstorage area is an embedded data storage area and wherein the removabledata storage card and the embedded data storage are located in a samedevice. The removable data storage card may be a universal integratedcircuit card (UICC) and the embedded storage area may be an embeddeduniversal integrated circuit card (eUICC).

The eUICC may be on a same chip as a circuit. The circuit may be anear-field communications (NFC) circuit which reads data from or storesdata to the selected one of the UICC and the eUICC. The method mayinclude transmitting a clock signal along a third signal line commonlycoupled to the controller, the removable data storage card, and theembedded storage area. The method may include transmitting data along athird signal line commonly coupled to the controller, the removable datastorage card, and the embedded storage area.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a non-transitorymachine-readable medium stores instructions to cause a processor toreceive an instruction to select a first storage area or a secondstorage area, generate a reset signal, and transmit the reset signal toa first signal line coupled to the first storage area or a second signalline coupled to the second storage area, wherein the first storage areais a removable data storage card and the second storage area is anembedded data storage area and wherein the removable data storage cardand the embedded data storage are located in a same device. Theremovable data storage card may be a universal integrated circuit card(UICC), and the embedded storage area may be an embedded universalintegrated circuit card (eUICC). The eUICC may be on a same chip as acircuit, and the circuit may be a near-field communications (NFC)circuit which reads data from or stores data to the selected one of theUICC and the eUICC.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional objects and features of the invention will be more readilyapparent from the following detailed description and appended claimswhen taken in conjunction with the drawings. Although several exampleembodiments are illustrated and described, like reference numeralsidentify like parts in each of the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system for managing data storagein a device;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate examples of a user interfaces for selectingdata storage devices; and

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a method for managing data storagein a device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood that the figures are merely schematic and arenot drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same referencenumerals are used throughout the figures to indicate the same or similarparts.

The descriptions and drawings illustrate the principles of variousexample embodiments. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled inthe art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although notexplicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of theinvention and are included within its scope. Furthermore, all examplesrecited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogicalpurposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of theinvention and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furtheringthe art and are to be construed as being without limitation to suchspecifically recited examples and conditions. Additionally, the term,“or,” as used herein, refers to a non-exclusive or (i.e., and/or),unless otherwise indicated (e.g., “or else” or “or in the alternative”).Also, the various example embodiments described herein are notnecessarily mutually exclusive, as some example embodiments can becombined with one or more other example embodiments to form new exampleembodiments. Descriptors such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., arenot meant to limit the order of elements discussed, are used todistinguish one element from the next, and are generallyinterchangeable. Values such as maximum or minimum may be predeterminedand set to different values based on the application.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system for managing a plurality ofdata storage areas in an electronic device. The data storage areas maybe managed to exchange data (e.g., read, write, or both) betweenthemselves and/or with one or more circuits or applications. Theelectronic device may be, for example, a mobile device such as asmartphone, tablet, personal digital assistant, media player, notebookcomputer, Internet of Things (IoT) device, or another type ofinformation or processing terminal. For illustrative purposes, theelectronic device may be referred to as a host device.

Referring to FIG. 1, the system includes a controller 10 of the hostdevice which manages a first data storage area 20 and a second datastorage area 30. In one embodiment, the first data storage area may be aremovable subscriber identity module (SIM) card and the second datastorage area may be an embedded SIM storage area. In one embodiment, theSIM card 20 may be a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) and theembedded SIM storage area 30 may be an embedded UICC (eUICC). Also, theUICC may be Class B storage and the eUICC may be 3V tolerant.

One or more of the storage areas 20 and 30 may be a different type ofSIM or storage area in another embodiment. For illustrative purposes,the first storage area 20 may be referred to as a UICC and the secondstorage area 30 may be referred to as an eUICC.

The UICC 20 may include a plurality of contacts (or pins) C for sendingand/or receiving power, control, and data signals. For example, the C1contact may receive a supply voltage (SIMVCC) from the controller 10 ora power supply of the host device. The supply voltage may activate theUICC and then provide power for performing various operations inassociation with the controller or other circuits of the host device.The supply voltage received through contact C1 may be in differentranges to support different modes or operation, e.g., normal mode,low-power mode, etc. The contact C2 may receive a reset signal from thecontroller 10 or another circuit. The contact C3 may receive a clocksignal from the controller 10 or another timing circuit. The contact C5may be a connection to a reference potential, e.g., ground. The contactC6 may be a variable voltage pin to be used for programming and/or tosupport single wire protocol (SWP) communications, as will be discussedin greater detail below. The contact C7 may be an input/output (I/O)contact for sending and/or receiving data based on a predeterminedprotocol.

The UICC 20 may include one or more other contacts (or pins) C4 and C8,which are either not used or used for an application-specific purpose.The pin 21 for the clock signal, the pin 22 for the I/O data 22, and thepin 23 for the reset signal 23 are illustrated as inputs in FIG. 1 andare discussed below in connection with operations performed by thecontroller 10.

The eUICC 30 may include a plurality of pins including, but not limitedto, a clock input pin 31, an input/output (I/O) pin 32, and a reset pin33. The eUICC 30 may include other pins or inputs in accordance with oneor more specifications or standards, but pins 31, 32, and 33 arediscussed in relation to one or more embodiments. The eUICC is embeddedin the sense that is integrated into a chip including one or more othercircuits.

In one embodiment, the eUICC 30 may be integrated into a chip 40 whichincludes a near-field communications (NFC) circuit 50 for communicatingsignals between the electronic system and an external device. Thesignals may include personal data, financial data, identification,and/or other data to be transmitted between the NFC circuit 50 andcontroller 10 or another circuit or application of the host device.These signals may also be transmitted between the NFC circuit 50 and anexternal device using an antenna coupled to a near-field communicationslink, for example, for purposes of making a wireless payment (e.g.,using a wallet application), conveying identification information, orfor another purpose. The chip 40 may also include an embedded secureelement (SE) for making secure the communications performed by the NFCcircuit 50.

In one embodiment, the eUICC 30 may store one or more applications forpurposes of controlling the operations of the NFC circuit 50. In thiscase, the eUICC 30 may also serve as the secure element (SE). The UICC20 may also store applications for controlling one or more operations ofthe host device. The UICC 20 and the eUICC 30, and indeed the entirechip 40, may conform to one more standards, e.g., Global System forMobile (GSM) communications standard. The NFC circuit 50 and the eUICC30 are connected by internal signal lines on the chip 40. The internalsignal lines may include power, data (I/O), and/or control lines to beused in sending and receiving data from the NFC circuit 50 and/or thecontroller of the host device. In one embodiment, the UICC 20 and theeUICC 30 may exchange data through one or more signal lines undercontrol of the controller 10, for example, through signal linecompatible with an ISO protocol coupled between UICC 20 and the chip 40or through one or more other signal lines of the host device, e.g., I/Oline(s) coupled to the host controller. The ISO protocol line may be asingle wire protocol (SWP) line. In some embodiments, communicationamong the UICC, eUICC, and/or controller 10 may be performed through ISOports. When ISO port(s) are not used, then a high impedance (HiZ) modemay be implemented so as not to disturb the active link.

The controller 10 performs a plurality of power and managementoperations for the UICC 20 and the eUICC 30 and the NFC circuit 50 ofthe chip. The controller 10 may perform these operations, for example,based on instructions (e.g., firmware) stored in a memory 60 of the hostdevice. This memory may be any type of fixed or removable storage.

The power management operations performed by controller 10 includeproviding power (e.g., SIMVCC) to one or both of the UICC 20 and thechip 40. In one embodiment, the UICC 20 may receive power from the chip40, based on power which the chip receives from the controller 10. Inone embodiment, a voltage source different from the controller mayprovide power to the UICC 20 and/or the circuits of chip 40.

The management operations performed by the controller 10 includeselecting which of the two data storage areas is to be used foroperation with the host device, and/or for performing a particularoperation involving the host device. The selection is made based onsignals transmitted by the controller 10 to respective ones of the UICC20 and eUICC 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the signals may be transmitted along signallines 110, 120, 130, and 140. Signal line 110 carries a reset signal(UIM_RST1) from the controller 10 to the reset input pin 23 of the UICC20. The other signal lines may be connected to the UICC 20 and the eUICC30. For example, signal line 120 carries a clock signal (UIM_CLK) to theinput pin 21 of the UICC 20 and to the input pin 31 (SE_ISO_CLK) of theeUICC 30. The signal line 130 carries data (UIM_IO) between thecontroller 10 and the pin 22 of the UICC 20 and the controller 10 andthe pin (SE_ISO_IO) 32 of the eUICC 30. As indicated by thebidirectional arrows, the signal line 130 may be a bidirectional linefor reading data from the UICC and the eUICC and for writing (orstoring) data to the UICC and the eUICC.

Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the clock and I/O signal lines aremerged so that only one clock signal line and only one I/O line is usedamong all three of the controller 10, the UICC 20, and the eUICC 30. Byusing only one signal line for the clock signal and only one signal lineto perform I/O data transfers, the number of signal lines in the hostdevice may be substantially reduced, which leads to a simpler, morespace-efficient design and significant power and cost savings.

Also, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a first reset signal line 110 is usedfor the UICC 20 and a second, separate signal line 140 is used for theeUICC 30. The controller may use these separate reset signal lines toindependently select the UICC and eUICC to perform one or moreoperations or applications, as determined, for example, by the firmwarestored in memory 60. In order to select the UICC 20 or eUICC 30 (for usewith the NFC circuit 50 or another application of the host device), thecontroller 10 outputs a reset signal to the reset pin of the one to beselected. When the controller 10 outputs a reset signal to signal line110, the UICC 20 is selected. When the controller 10 outputs a resetsignal to signal line 140, the eUICC 30 is selected. The firmware storedin memory 60 may instruct the controller 10 to use the selected one ofthe UICC 20 or the eUICC to which the reset signal was sent, either forall operations of the host device to the exclusion of the unselectedstorage or for specific operations as determined, for example, by thefirmware or a user input or preference. When a reset signal is receivedby the UICC or the eUICC, an initialization procedure may beimplemented, which may involve erasing all data previously storedtherein. As a result, the full capacity of the selected data storage maybe available for use for subsequent operations of the host device, theNFC circuit, and/or other applications or circuits.

The controller 10 may output a reset signal to signal line 110 or signalline 140 based on one or more scenarios. In one embodiment, thecontroller may automatically output a reset signal to select one of UICC20 or eUICC 30 based on instructions in the firmware stored in memory60. In one embodiment, the firmware may be written to designate the UICCor the eUICC as a default storage area for use with the NFC circuit 50and/or one or more other applications or circuits upon initial start-upof the host device, when the host device is re-configured or reset,and/or based on one or more other conditions.

Another example may follow a recent trend among smartphone manufacturerswho have a preference for using an embedded SIM over a removable SIMcard. In the event that the host device has both UICC 20 and eUICC 30,the controller may automatically output a reset signal to the eUICC 30,e.g., when initiated or at start-up. At any time thereafter, forexample, based on instructions in the firmware or an application, theUICC may be selected when the controller 10 outputs a reset signal alongline 110.

In another example, the controller 10 may output a reset signal toselect one of the UICC or the eUICC based on an input signal. The userinput signal may be generated, for example, by a user accessing anoption in a control menu of the host device. The control menu may beincluded, for example, in the settings of the host device in order toallow the user to select which storage area (UICC or eUICC) is to beused to store contacts, personal identification information, financialinformation, and/or other information during use of the host device. Forexample, while use of the eUICC may be preferred by a smartphonemanufacturer, the user of the host device may prefer using the UICCbecause of its ability to be removed from a slot in the host device forpurposes of initializing a new user or host device or otherwise forprotecting unauthorized access to sensitive information.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example of user interface that may be displayedon the host device to allow a user to manually select use of removableUICC card 20 or embedded eUICC 30. The controller 10 of the host devicemay then output a reset signal on the appropriate one of signal lines110 or 140 to make the selection. The selection may be changed at anytime to match the preferences of the user or based on instructions inthe firmware or an application implemented on the host device. The userinterface may be included in the settings of the user device or may begenerated, for example, when a new application is to be executed in thehost device.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of an interface that may be displayed toallow the user to select which applications are to be used with the UICCand which applications are to be used with the eUICC. In one embodiment,a user interface may allow the user to select one of the UICC or eUICCas default storage. In one embodiment, the firmware may be written toautomatically select the UICC for some applications and the eUICC forother applications, by outputting a reset signal along a correspondingone of the signal lines 110 or 140. In one embodiment, resetting one ofthe UICC or eUICC may disable operation of the unselected one of theUICC or eUICC.

In one embodiment, the eUICC 30 may perform a data input/outputoperation based on voltage from a power supply VDDIO_SE output from thecontroller 10. The controller 10 may also output different levels ofvoltage (see the branch paths in FIG. 1) from a power supply VDDIO tosupport data input/output operations performed by the NFC circuit 50,either relative to the UICC 20 or the eUICC 30. The controller 10 andthe chip 40 may communicate data, control signals, and/or otherinformation over a bus (e.g., Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) bus).

In one embodiment, the UICC 20 and the eUICC 30 may perform concurrentoperations (e.g., may be simultaneously enabled) under control of thecontroller and/or the NFC circuit 50. The concurrent operations may berelated to a same operation of the host device or may be performedindependently from one another, e.g., may corresponds to different andunrelated operations, circuits, or applications being performed on thehost device.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a method for managing a plurality ofstorage areas in a host device. The method may be implemented, forexample, by the system of FIG. 1 or by another system. For illustrativepurposes, it will be assumed in the following discussion that the systemof FIG. 1 is used to implement the method.

Referring to FIG. 3, the method includes, at 310, receiving aninstruction to select a first data storage area or a second data storagearea in a host device. The first data storage area may be a removableSIM card (e.g., UICC 20) and the second storage area may be embeddedstorage (e.g., eUICC 30). As previously indicated, the embedded storagearea may be integrated on a chip with one or more other circuits, e.g.,NFC circuit. The controller of the host device may receive theinstruction, for example, from firmware stored in an internal memory orbased on a user input (e.g., menu selection or other manualdesignation).

At 320, the controller generates a reset signal to select the first datastorage area or the second data storage area based on the instruction.At this time, the controller may also be configured, based on thereceived instruction or another instruction, to set one or moreapplications (or operation of the entire host device) for use with theselected application. The instruction used to set operation of the hostdevice may be generated by the firmware or based on a user input (e.g.,menu selection).

At 330, the controller outputs the reset signal to the signal lineconnected to the reset pin of the selected storage area. For example, inthe system of FIG. 1, the controller 10 may output the reset signal online 110 if the UICC 20 is selected and may output the reset signal toline 140 if the eUICC is selected. Because different reset signal linesare used in this embodiment, the UICC and eUICC may be separately andindependently selected to satisfy the data management operations of oneor more intended applications.

Additional operations of the method may include, at 340, outputting datato the selected storage area or receiving data from the selected storagearea along an input/output signal line commonly connected to thecontroller of the host device, an I/O pin of the first data storage area(e.g., UICC), and an I/O pin (e.g., eUICC) of the second data storagearea. Using a single signal line for this purpose may significantlyreduce size, cost, and power consumption.

Another operation of the method may include, at 350, driving the firstand second storage areas (when selected or otherwise activated) usingthe same clock signal. The same clock signal may be output from thecontroller of the host device along a signal line that is commonlyconnected to respective clock pins of the data storage devices (e.g.,UICC and eUICC). Using a single signal line for this purposesignificantly reduces size, cost, and power consumption.

In accordance with one embodiment, a non-transitory machine-readablemedium stores instructions to cause a processor to perform theoperations of the system and method embodiments described herein. Forexample, the instructions may cause the processor to select a firststorage area or a second storage area, generate a reset signal, andtransmit the reset signal to a first signal line coupled to the firststorage area or a second signal line coupled to the second storage area.The first storage area may be a removable data storage card (e.g., SIMor UICC) and the second storage area is an embedded data storage area(e.g., eUICC), both of which may be located in a same host device. Theprocessor may be controller 10 which performs operations as describedherein.

The controller, processor, and other signal-generating andsignal-processing features of the embodiments disclosed herein may beimplemented in logic which, for example, may include hardware, software,or both. When implemented at least partially in hardware, thecontroller, processor, and other signal-generating and signal-processingfeatures may be, for example, any one of a variety of integratedcircuits including but not limited to an application-specific integratedcircuit, a field-programmable gate array, a combination of logic gates,a system-on-chip, a microprocessor, or another type of processing orcontrol circuit.

When implemented in at least partially in software, the controller,processor, and other signal-generating and signal-processing featuresmay include, for example, a memory or other storage device for storingcode or instructions to be executed, for example, by a computer,processor, microprocessor, controller, or other signal processingdevice. The computer, processor, microprocessor, controller, or othersignal processing device may be those described herein or one inaddition to the elements described herein. Because the algorithms thatform the basis of the methods (or operations of the computer, processor,microprocessor, controller, or other signal processing device) aredescribed in detail, the code or instructions for implementing theoperations of the method embodiments may transform the computer,processor, controller, or other signal processing device into aspecial-purpose processor for performing the methods described herein.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) thatmay cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeatures or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is definedsolely by the appended claims including any amendments made during thependency of this application and all equivalents of those claims asissued.

Although the various exemplary embodiments have been described in detailwith particular reference to certain exemplary aspects thereof, itshould be understood that the invention is capable of other exampleembodiments and its details are capable of modifications in variousobvious respects. As is readily apparent to those skilled in the art,variations and modifications can be affected while remaining within thespirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoingdisclosure, description, and figures are for illustrative purposes onlyand do not in any way limit the invention, which is defined only by theclaims.

We claim:
 1. A device, comprising: a first signal line coupled to afirst storage area; a second signal line coupled to a second storagearea; a controller configured to output a signal to the first signalline or the second signal line to select the first storage area or thesecond storage area, wherein the first storage area is a removable datastorage card and the second storage area is an embedded storage area inthe device and wherein the signal is a reset signal for the selected oneof the first storage area and the second storage area; and a thirdsignal line to carry a clock signal from the controller to the removabledata storage card and to the embedded storage area.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein: the removable data storage card is a universalintegrated circuit card (UICC), and the embedded storage area is anembedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC).
 3. The device ofclaim 2, further comprising: a circuit on a chip, wherein the eUICC ison the chip and the chip is coupled to the UICC.
 4. The device of claim3, wherein the circuit is a near-field communications (NFC) circuitwhich reads data from or stores data to the selected one of the UICC andthe eUICC.
 5. The device of claim 4, further comprising: a single wireprotocol (SWP) line coupled between the chip and the UICC, wherein theNFC circuit communicates with the UICC through the SWP line when theUICC is selected.
 6. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a thirdsignal line coupled to the controller, the removable data storage card,and the embedded storage area, wherein the third signal line is abidirectional input/output line to carry data.
 7. The device of claim 1,wherein the controller is configured to output signals to the firstsignal line and the second signal line independently from one another.8. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured toautomatically output the signal to the first signal line or the secondsignal line based on an instruction stored in a memory.
 9. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the controller is configured to output the signal tothe first signal line or the second signal line based on a user inputsignal.
 10. A method for managing data storage, comprising: receiving aninstruction to select a first storage area or a second storage area;generating a reset signal; and transmitting the reset signal to a firstsignal line coupled to the first storage area or a second signal linecoupled to the second storage area, wherein the first storage area is aremovable data storage card and the second storage area is an embeddeddata storage area and wherein the removable data storage card and theembedded data storage are located in a same device; and transmitting aclock signal along a third signal line commonly coupled to a controller,the removable data storage card, and the embedded storage area.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein: the removable data storage card is auniversal integrated circuit card (UICC), and the embedded storage areais an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC).
 12. The methodof claim 11, wherein the eUICC is on a same chip as a circuit.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the circuit is a near-field communications(NFC) circuit which reads data from or stores data to the selected oneof the UICC and the eUICC.
 14. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising: transmitting data along a third signal line commonly coupledto the controller, the removable data storage card, and the embeddedstorage area.
 15. A non-transitory machine-readable medium storinginstructions to cause a processor to: receive an instruction to select afirst storage area or a second storage area; generate a reset signal;and transmit the reset signal to a first signal line coupled to thefirst storage area or a second signal line coupled to the second storagearea, wherein the first storage area is a removable data storage cardand the second storage area is an embedded data storage area and whereinthe removable data storage card and the embedded data storage arelocated in a same device; and transmit a clock signal along a thirdsignal line commonly coupled to a controller, the removable data storagecard, and the embedded storage area.
 16. The medium of claim 15,wherein: the removable data storage card is a universal integratedcircuit card (UICC), and the embedded storage area is an embeddeduniversal integrated circuit card (eUICC).
 17. The medium of claim 16,wherein the eUICC is on a same chip as a circuit.
 18. The medium ofclaim 17, wherein the circuit is a near-field communications (NFC)circuit which reads data from or stores data to the selected one of theUICC and the eUICC.